A dedicated fundraiser is preparing for her third London Marathon and is hoping to overtake her previous sponsorship totals.

Amanda Humphry, from Reydon near Southwold, was diagnosed with breast cancer just three weeks after running her first marathon in 2007.

Following almost a year of treatment, which included chemo-therapy, radiotherapy and a mastec-tomy, she started to work on regaining her fitness and returned to the capital for the 26-mile run in 2010, raising �3,800 for Breast Cancer Care.

Now, almost five years on from being diagnosed, the 48-year-old is in training once more to take part with the joint official charity of the mara-thon, Team PB (the Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care).

'I am hoping to top my previous amount by raising �4,000,' said Mrs Humphry, a teacher at Saxmundham Primary School and a Reydon parish councillor. 'I have already had terrific support locally, from family, friends, neighbours and work.'

Mrs Humphry is a devoted fund-raiser and an experienced runner, starting with Portsmouth's Great South Run in 1999. Since then she has raised thousands for various causes and hopes to top her sponsorship record at next month's marathon.

'As many of you know I was diagnosed with breast cancer three weeks after my first London Marathon in 2007. I am so happy to be back to good health and fitness, and looking forward to my five-year 'All Clear' in November,' she added.

n A doctor from Reydon is preparing for his first London Marathon – at the age of 63. Dr Rob Donovan is raising money for the Alzheimer's Society, and recalling his recent training regime, said: 'I have fulfilled my target of running for 20 miles by the end of March and did so in three hours 49 minutes.'

He added: 'I want to show what you can do if you set your mind to the task. I followed the advice from those who know, and then I made it happen for me. My mother-in-law and now my sister have suffered from Alzheimer's at the close of their lives and I would like to help all those who may face this affliction.'

Visit virginmoneygiving.com/amandahumphry to sponsor Mrs Humphry online and http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/robdonovan to donate to Dr Donovan

mark.boggis@archant.co.uk